NEWS from Central Connecticut State University  

Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the

Association of American Colleges & Universities

CCSU, Travelers partner to give students the “EDGE”

Media contact:

Janice Palmer, CCSU Media Relations Officer                                                                                  

   (860) 832-1791    Cell (860) 538-2649   palmerj@ccsu.edu

Ashley Maagero, Travelers                                                                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   (860) 277-2954    amaagero@travelers.com                                                                           December 2, 2010 

New Britain, CT – Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) today announced a new education partnership with The Travelers Companies, Inc. Through the Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment) program, CCSU is receiving a $130,000 grant to benefit underrepresented students in the Greater Hartford area who are interested in pursuing careers in the insurance and financial services industries. Program resources will be used to mentor undergraduates, as well as increase awareness of future career opportunities.

“We are proud to announce our partnership with Travelers and appreciate their ongoing commitment to support underserved college students in Greater Hartford. As the state’s largest resource of first generation college students, CCSU is a natural fit for the EDGE program,” said Carl Lovitt, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at CCSU. “The company’s significant investment in our institution through this initiative will increase access to careers in the financial services and insurance industries for interested undergraduates from all backgrounds. They also will have access to real-world internship experiences and quality leadership development programs.”

“By building awareness of careers in insurance and financial services, providing a combination of professional development, internship and mentorship opportunities, Travelers looks forward to increasing and enhancing the experiences of underrepresented students in the Greater Hartford area,” said Anthony Torsiello, Travelers Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, who serves as the company’s liaison to CCSU. “Our partnership with CCSU reaffirms Travelers’ commitment to the community and education, as well as fostering the development of our future workforce.”

The Travelers EDGE program is designed to remove barriers that many underrepresented students encounter in their pursuit of higher education. Travelers first launched this initiative in 2007 and partnered with schools in Connecticut, Minnesota and Maryland. CCSU Professor of Management and Organization David Fearon is the Travelers EDGE advisor who closely guides the students as they navigate the pressures of academia and their demanding internships.

BACKGROUND

ABOUT THE TRAVELERS EDGE/CCSU PROGRAM

The pipeline begins with middle and high schools students, in order to prepare them for college and careers. From there, students may find themselves with opportunities to participate as Travelers EDGE scholars at community college or a bachelor’s-degree-granting organization such as CCSU.

Once admitted to CCSU, Travelers EDGE Scholars receive intensive academic advising from a senior faculty member, opportunities for hands-on internships at Travelers, leadership development, and enrichment resources and services designed to address the challenges that sometimes derail underserved students working to earn a bachelor’s degree.  Throughout the experience, students’ exposure to Travelers is designed to give them a competitive advantage for potential employment by Travelers.

CCSU will also collaborate with the other Travelers EDGE partner schools in refining the best practices for keeping diverse learners moving steadily along the academic path.

ABOUT TRAVELERS EDGE

Travelers EDGE provides a holistic approach to education that is the formula for success for underrepresented students. Through partnerships with colleges, universities and community-based programs, Travelers EDGE provides students with the opportunity to excel. To date, programs are in place in Connecticut, Maryland and Minnesota. Travelers EDGE is funded by The Travelers Companies, Inc.

• Increase the number of underserved students attending college through rigorous middle and high school curriculum
• Help underrepresented students graduate from college through scholarship support and academic advising
• Build awareness of careers in insurance and financial services by providing a combination of professional development, internship and mentorship opportunities

Travelers believes a quality education can break down barriers for underrepresented students and provide limitless long-term opportunity. Travelers EDGE: Empowering Dreams for Graduation and Employment, is designed to increase access to higher education and provide students with the opportunity to excel.

Demographic projections indicate that in the not-too-distant future, the largest population increases in the U.S. will come from communities currently underserved by educational institutions. These educationally underserved students are the workforce of tomorrow. The quality of life in our communities, and the health of our business, depends on a well educated population. This program is building a pipeline of diverse, talented candidates for our company and our industry.

About CCSU

Central Connecticut State University is a regional, comprehensive public university dedicated to learning in the liberal arts and sciences and to education for the professions.  Committed to offering Connecticut citizens access to our distinctive academic programs of high quality, the University is also a responsive and creative intellectual and economic resource for the people and institutions of our state’s Capitol Region.  More than

85 percent of our graduates remain in Connecticut, contributing to the intellectual, cultural, and economic health of our state.